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Clinical correlates of Parkinsonian signs in community-dwelling Chinese older persons: a population based study
- Authors:
- TAM Cindy W. C., et al
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 23(7), July 2008, pp.719-725.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
This study examined the clinical correlates of Parkinsonian signs including neuropsychiatric symptoms, cognitive impairment and medical illness burden in the community-dwelling non-demented Chinese elderly. A random sample of 765 Chinese elderly subjects from a thematic household survey was recruited. There were 389 normal elderly controls (Clinical Dementia Rating [CDR] 0) and 376 with questionable dementia (CDR 0.5). Those with questionable dementia (CDR 0.5) were categorized into two groups: a MCI group of 291 and a very mild dementia (VMD) group of 85. Parkinsonian signs were measured by Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale - motor scale (UPDRS). The clinical correlates were investigated in each group. UPDRS motor score was associated with age, cumulative medical illness burden and cerebrovascular accidents in the normal control and MCI groups. It correlated negatively with MMSE scores in the NC group. It was associated with presence of soft signs in the NC and MCI groups; and apathy in the VMD group. It was concluded that neuropsychiatric symptoms, cognitive impairment and vascular risk factors had different patterns of associations with Parkinsonian signs in the older persons with different degree of cognitive impairment.
The impact of spirituality on health-related quality of life among Chinese older adults with vision impairment
- Authors:
- WANG C. -W., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 12(2), March 2008, pp.267-275.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
The goals of this study were to examine the impact of spirituality on both generic and vision-specific health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and the role of spirituality in the linkage between vision impairment and HRQOL outcomes among Chinese older adults with visual problems. A sample of 167 urban older adults with visual problems were interviewed using a structured questionnaire to assess self-reported visual functioning, general health, spirituality and both generic and vision-specific HRQOL. Objective visual function was clinically measured by ophthalmologists in terms of distance visual acuity. It was found in the study that spirituality was positively associated with both general physical health and general mental health, with a higher correlation with general mental health than that with general physical health. Moreover, spirituality was associated significantly with vision-specific HRQOL, including multiple domains. The results showed that spirituality played a mediating role in the linkage between vision impairment and general mental health. These results suggest that spirituality is significantly associated with multiple domains of HRQOL and may play an important role in the process of adaptation to age-related vision loss among Chinese older adults with vision impairment.
Depression and elder abuse and neglect among a community-dwelling Chinese elderly population
- Authors:
- DONG XinQi, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Elder Abuse and Neglect, 20(1), 2008, pp.25-41.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
A cross-sectional study of patients in a Nanjing medical centre is reported in which 412 individuals over the age of 60 (mean age 70, 34% female) were assessed using the Geriatric Depression Scale and direct questioning about abuse and neglect . Depression was found in 12% of the sample, and abuse or neglect in 35%. After multiple logistical regression, an increased risk of abuse and neglect was found to be associated with a feeling of dissatisfaction with life, frequent boredom, and frequent feelings of helplessness or worthlessness. Depression was found to be independently associated with abuse and neglect, and is a significant risk factor for abuse and neglect among the older Chinese population. (Copies of this article are available from: Haworth Document Delivery Centre, Haworth Press Inc., 10 Alice Street, Binghamton, NY 13904-1580).